The Hindu : BJP protests CM's remark

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Mar 11, 2003

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BJP protests CM's remark

By Our Staff Reporter

NEW DELHI MARCH 10. The Opposition BJP staged a walk-out at the House meeting of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi here today protesting against reported remarks by the Delhi Chief Minister, Sheila Dikshit, that a concession in house tax would be given to properties owned by women.

Alleging that by doing so Ms. Dikshit was interfering in MCD affairs, the BJP Councillors led by the Leader of Opposition, Subhash Arya, demanded a statement from the Municipal Commissioner, Rakesh Mehta, in this regard, which was refuted by the members of the ruling Congress.

Asserting that so far the MCD had not discussed the issue of house tax and the unit area system, Mr. Arya asked how Ms. Dikshit could make such a statement. "The announcement made by her is unconstitutional. Mr. Mehta should clarify the issue,'' he demanded.

Raising the issue as soon Mr. Mehta completed his statement on the developments in the civic body after the last House, the senior BJP Councillor, Vijender Kumar, requested the Delhi Mayor, Jaishree Panwar, to ask the Commissioner to clarify the issue. He alleged that Ms. Dikshit was trying to mislead the public and was attempting to gain political mileage. "We are not against giving concessions to the properties owned by women, but this is not her jurisdiction to make announcements on behalf of MCD,'' he said.

The Leader of the House and Standing Committee Chairman, Ram Babu Sharma, clarified that Ms. Dikshit had made no announcement and she had just expressed her view. "We in the MCD would ensure that her views are implemented. Even she has been saying that the decision in this regard would be taken by the Standing Committee and the MCD House,'' he said.

Not satisfied with the reply, the BJP Councillors insisted that Mr. Mehta should give a statement. This was opposed by the Congress Councillors, Tarsem Bansal and Khazan Singh. Mr. Bansal alleged that in the previous BJP regime they were never allowed to get such a statement from the Commissioner. Thus, began the heated debate between the ruling and Opposition Councillors.

Soon the BJP Councillors jumped into the well of the House and started shouting slogans against Chief Minister and Congress. The ruling party members replied by shouting slogans against the BJP. The MCD House was initially adjourned by Ms. Panwar for ten minutes.

But as soon the House was resumed, the BJP Councillors stood up and made the same demand. This was again denied and the ruling party started passing out the agenda. Following this the BJP led by Mr. Arya staged a walkout.

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